The Boy From Smallville
By Rob Morris
GOTHAM CITY, 2007
Though Jim Gordon had met the man once before, it was under bizarre circumstances that demanded he pose as The Batman. So this was still the first time the two had met completely as themselves.
"Thanks, Superman. I know it violates our friend's rule for you to deliver these files, but he was right. Trying to get these across town himself would have meant running a gauntlet. His attention is best kept on the usual suspects."
Superman smiled a bit, himself glad to formally meet the Commissioner.
"Hopefully, this shuts down some of the operations of this new player – Black Mask, is it?"
Gordon knew that Black Mask had sprung up when Joker and Quinn had all but vanished – as had Robin, and now Nightwing no longer visited from Bludhaven. Yet while sadistic, Roman Sionis was no Joker, and Gordon welcomed that.
"The man himself, I'll leave to the man himself. But these couldn't be transmitted, or – transmatted. Imagine the nerve, attacking the JLU transport hub. Guess he figured to force Batman into a corner."
Superman again offered that friendly smile
"Batman is someone you want in your corner, not boxed in one. I've seen what he'll do to get out of it. Was there anything else, Commissioner?"
Gordon knew Superman was not being rude. Batman did not want any of his teammates in Gotham, for fear of inviting their foes or escalation by his own.
"Ya know, there is, and it's a bizarre question. I've read up on your history, so I already know the likely answer, but I can't shake it, so I may as well just ask."
With Superman offering no objection, Gordon went ahead.
"Did you have any adventures when you were just a teenager?"
Superman seemed almost put off by this, but regained himself quickly.
"You know, sometimes I've had oddball dreams where I and some other kids did just that. We even hung out in a weird clubhouse. But for real life, the answer is no. My powers didn't fully emerge until I was well into my teens. Certainly not anything like they are now. Now if you'll excuse me, Commissioner, you guys have a weakened sewer main down by Third. I can seal it before Batman has a chance to kick me out for overstaying my welcome."
Gordon mused as he saw the man fly off that Batman had once again been right: Hercules as a Boy Scout summed him up. He also had one more thought, one he spoke openly when he was alone.
"Funny. For some reason, I keep thinking there was once a Superboy."
Dedicated to the memory of Bob Hastings, Boy Of Steel and a Dark Knight's best friend